TAMPA, Fla. — As public schools transition to online classrooms, private schools are also making the jump.
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Even with their school building closed, Walter Levy, 10, and his brother, Henry, 13, log on every morning at 8 a.m. sharp for a full day of classes at Corbett Preparatory School in Tampa.
"I think the transition has been much easier for us than most families because our school is keeping a regular 8-3 schedule. You know, they'd rather be at school but it really feels much more normal, that normal routine, and it helps for me, too, honestly, for our whole family,' said Suzanne Meiners-Levy, the boys mother.
Using Zoom Video Conferencing, the students' schedules remain exactly the same.
For example, if they have an algebra class at 9 a.m., that's when the class starts and the teacher comes up on the computer.
School administrators said their goal was for the students to have a sense of normalcy and routine.
"We want our students to get up in the morning and still have their homeroom class, where they're learning social and emotional skills, and then jump into their regular schedule," said Mike Johnson, Associate Headmaster, Corbett Preparatory School.
Teachers are doing things to make sure students stay engaged and in front of their screens.
If a student has a science project to present, they still do it.
If they raise their hand, they're called on, just like they would be in a traditional classroom
"Is it perfect? No. But it is so much better than we ever anticipated it would be. There's no question this is going to change the landscape of education as we know it," said Johnson.
Meiners-Levy said while her children miss being in the classroom, this is the next best thing. She said the teachers are also helping them get through this stressful time.
"I can't imagine a group of adults I'd rather have helping my children through this challenging time than their group of teachers," she said.